‘Dancing with the Stars’ Pro Emma Slater Pulls Out Stops By Performing with Savannah Bananas Ahead of Tuesday’s Premiere

The landscape of primetime reality competition television is shifting as Dancing with the Stars approaches its 35th season premiere on ABC. Professional dancer Emma Slater, a veteran of the long-running ballroom staple, is leaving nothing to chance this cycle. Partnered with Savannah Bananas second baseman and viral content creator Jackson Olson, Slater has opted for an unconventional pre-season publicity strategy: integrating herself into the high-energy, performative world of exhibition baseball.

The duo recently appeared at Grayson Stadium in Georgia, where they executed a choreographed routine to "Rewrite the Stars" from the soundtrack of The Greatest Showman. The performance, which has since circulated widely on social media, serves as more than just a promotional stunt; it reflects a broader trend of cross-platform celebrity engagement that has become essential for survival in the modern television landscape. As the premiere dates of September 15 and 16 draw near, the pressure on contestants and professionals alike is reaching a fever pitch, driven by a significant change to the show’s elimination structure.

The Return of the High-Stakes Premiere

The impending season carries a weight not felt by contestants in several years. According to Amanda Hirsch, host of the Hulu podcast Get Real, the production team has implemented a rigorous cut for the opening week. During the September 10 episode of her podcast, Hirsch confirmed that one male and one female celebrity will be eliminated following the two-night premiere event.

"This is the first time since 2018 that one male celebrity and one female celebrity will be sent home after the two-night premiere," Hirsch noted. "That hasn’t happened in many years."

For the 15 pairs entering the ballroom, this news drastically alters the tactical approach to the season opener. In recent years, the first week of Dancing with the Stars has often served as a "soft launch," allowing contestants to find their footing before the competitive reality of the judges’ scores and audience voting truly sets in. By mandating a double elimination immediately, the producers are signaling a shift toward a more aggressive competitive format, likely intended to boost viewership numbers and maintain high stakes from the very first dance.

Jackson Olson: The Digital Strategist in the Ballroom

Jackson Olson represents a new archetype of contestant for the franchise. While the show has historically relied on actors, athletes, and musicians to anchor its cast, Olson brings the specific skill set of a digital-native content creator. As a key member of the Savannah Bananas—the baseball exhibition team famous for its "Banana Ball" antics—Olson is accustomed to performing in front of massive, energetic crowds while maintaining a constant stream of engagement across social platforms.

Olson’s ability to manage his own brand is expected to be a significant asset during the season. His content, which frequently touches on the nuances of professional baseball, personal relationships, family dynamics, and culinary interests, has cultivated a loyal and active fanbase. In an era where viewer voting is heavily influenced by social media reach, Olson’s baseline of engagement provides a substantial head start. However, the technical demands of ballroom dance are vastly different from the athletic improvisations of the baseball diamond, and his transition will be a focal point of the early episodes.

A Diverse Cast for a Milestone Season

The 35th season features one of the most eclectic rosters in the show’s history, pulling talent from various corners of the entertainment, sports, and social media industries. The full list of competitors joining Slater and Olson includes:

• Tatyana Ali (Actress, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
• Tyler Cameron (Television personality, The Bachelor)
• Taylor Hanson (Musician, Hanson)
• Julia Stiles (Actress, 10 Things I Hate About You)
• Jenna Dewan (Actress and Dancer)
• Giada De Laurentiis (Chef and Television Host)
• Ezra Frech (Paralympic Athlete)
• Amber Glenn (Olympic Figure Skater)
• Connor Wood (Comedian and Podcaster)
• Connor Leavitt (Television personality, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives)
• Sarah Jane Nader (Reality star, Love Thy Nader)
• Harry Shum Jr. (Actor, Grey’s Anatomy)
• Guillermo Rodriguez (Television personality, Jimmy Kimmel Live)
• Maura Higgins (Reality star, The Traitors)
• Ciara Miller (Television personality, Summer House)

This diversity of background presents a unique challenge for the judging panel. With a mix of seasoned performers like Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr., and relative novices from the world of reality television, the scoring curve will be scrutinized closely by fans.

Strategic Implications and Media Landscape

The decision to pair high-profile influencers and reality stars with established professionals like Emma Slater is part of a deliberate strategy by ABC and Disney to revitalize the franchise. Data from the past three seasons suggests that viewer retention is strongest when contestants have established digital communities that can be mobilized during the voting windows.

The promotional tour conducted by Slater and Olson is a case study in modern integrated marketing. By performing on the field at Grayson Stadium, they reached a demographic that overlaps with, but is not identical to, the traditional Dancing with the Stars audience. This "crossover marketing" is essential in a fragmented media environment where linear television ratings are increasingly reliant on social media momentum.

Chronology of the Season 35 Rollout

The build-up to the premiere has followed a carefully orchestrated timeline:

1. Late August: Initial casting announcements begin to trickle out, generating speculation on social media.
2. Early September: Professional dance pairings are finalized, and rehearsals move into the intense, multi-hour daily schedule.
3. September 10: The announcement of the double-elimination rule during the Get Real podcast creates a narrative of urgency.
4. September 12-14: Final press appearances and promotional events—such as the Savannah Bananas collaboration—aim to cement fan allegiances.
5. September 15-16: The two-night premiere event on ABC, serving as the first true test of the season’s competitive structure.

Fact-Based Analysis: The Risks of the New Format

The decision to implement a double elimination in week one is not without risk. While it creates immediate drama, it also carries the potential for audience backlash if a fan-favorite is sent home before the public has a chance to see them progress. Historical data from similar competition shows indicates that rapid-fire eliminations can sometimes lead to viewer fatigue or feelings of unfairness if the scoring criteria are not perceived as transparent.

However, the producers likely calculated that the trade-off—an uptick in viewer engagement and a sense of "anything can happen"—is worth the risk. For the professionals, the stakes are equally high. A quick exit in week one can diminish a pro’s reputation for mentoring, making the pre-season work performed by Slater all the more vital. By integrating Olson into her world and vice versa, she is essentially building a "brand moat" around their partnership, ensuring that their chemistry is established in the public consciousness before they ever step onto the ABC stage.

As the industry watches the debut of this high-stakes format, the performance of the contestants will be measured not just by their footwork, but by their ability to navigate the intense pressure of a shortened, more competitive season. With the industry shifting toward multi-platform engagement, the success of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 will likely serve as a benchmark for how reality competitions can continue to thrive in an era of digital-first entertainment. The partnership between Slater and Olson, combining professional dance technique with the raw, high-energy magnetism of exhibition sports, stands as a prime example of the evolution of the genre. Whether this combination of talent and strategy will result in a mirror ball trophy remains to be seen, but the intent is clear: they are playing to win from the very first beat.